You have not said what mode of transportation you will be using. Where I live a 6 hour trip includes car and ferry (1.5-2 hours) travel. Can Mum manage sitting in a car for 6 hours?
6 hours one way is a multi day trip. Where will you stay? Does Mum have any issues with incontinence? Does she get confused outside of her normal surroundings? Where would you eat?
Me, I would not do it. When I was on my road trip this spring I discovered 3 rest stops in a row that were closed for maintenance, driving across Wyoming.
What happens if you get there and she refuses to come back with you?
What things? Where will the things be taken? Does she live with you now? In assisted living where there is little room? Do know a 6 hour trip alone can cause blood clots and problems if there is not respite from the car frequently. I think it may bring closure. On the other hand it may bring problems and I think that can't be predicted, but think you are the best overall judge of which, given you are the one who knows your Mom. Wishing you good luck.
Hmm. Depending on her level of dementia, would she even remember going there or turning in a key? Are you sure she will process that as closure?
If she has already moved into another place, maybe you can bring more of her things to her? A six hour drive isn't ideal for someone with dementia. My husband's grandmother would get totally confused if we even took her out for lunch and brought her right back. It did more harm than good.
I'm not sure how difficult it would be to arrange and make that trip, but if it's feasible I'd say run with it!!! Sooner rather than later before she changes her mind. My mom decided to leave the house on her own ( bless her for that! ) , and I knew that state of mind wasn't permanent, so dove in and totally blitzed the house emptying/moving etc...people couldn't believe how fast all that work happened but there was a reason. Sure enough she changed her mind later and says she wishes she'd stayed in the house longer. Truth is she had some falls very shortly after she moved so her living there and then trying getting her out - after she'd cognitively declined some more - would have been hell on a biscuit!
Mom also had control of choosing her stuff. This part was hard and we ended up hiring a pro to help her with her things while I dealt with everything else, including begging the pro not to quit.
Honestly the way mom moved out is pretty much the one thing I feel I did right. You've got a bigger issue with the distance , as mom's place for me was 1 hr away.
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You have not said what mode of transportation you will be using. Where I live a 6 hour trip includes car and ferry (1.5-2 hours) travel. Can Mum manage sitting in a car for 6 hours?
6 hours one way is a multi day trip. Where will you stay? Does Mum have any issues with incontinence? Does she get confused outside of her normal surroundings? Where would you eat?
Me, I would not do it. When I was on my road trip this spring I discovered 3 rest stops in a row that were closed for maintenance, driving across Wyoming.
What happens if you get there and she refuses to come back with you?
Do know a 6 hour trip alone can cause blood clots and problems if there is not respite from the car frequently.
I think it may bring closure. On the other hand it may bring problems and I think that can't be predicted, but think you are the best overall judge of which, given you are the one who knows your Mom. Wishing you good luck.
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If she has already moved into another place, maybe you can bring more of her things to her? A six hour drive isn't ideal for someone with dementia. My husband's grandmother would get totally confused if we even took her out for lunch and brought her right back. It did more harm than good.
Mom also had control of choosing her stuff. This part was hard and we ended up hiring a pro to help her with her things while I dealt with everything else, including begging the pro not to quit.
Honestly the way mom moved out is pretty much the one thing I feel I did right. You've got a bigger issue with the distance , as mom's place for me was 1 hr away.
Good luck and blessings!